MUSKEGON, MI – Grand Haven varsity football coach Mike Farley has resigned after eight seasons to accept a position as an offensive coordinator at a high school in Georgia.

Farley told the team of his decision Friday morning and said the biggest factors were the chance to move to a warmer climate and be on the staff of his former college coach and mentor Donnie Revell at South Effingham High School near Savannah, Ga.

Farley, 44, had been the varsity coach at Grand Haven since 2006. His teams reached the playoffs three times (2009-11), won one OK Red Conference title and had an overall record of 44-32. He was selected the state coach of the year for Divisions 1-2 by The Associated Press in 2009.

He said the new opportunity just cropped up within the past three weeks when the job opened up at South Effingham, a Class 5A school in a competitive football region. He also will be a teacher in the district.

“This happened so fast,” Farley said. “Since I’ve been at Grand Haven, I’ve never looked for another job. I’ve been 100 percent a Buccaneer. The kids are kind of stunned by it and so are the staff and administration. I sat down with my wife and prayed about it. It was a tough decision for us, but overall, the best situation for my family.”

Farley said it was a difficult decision to leave because of the positive experience he’s had at Grand Haven.

“This has nothing to do with Grand Haven. The administration, community, parents and former and current players have been fantastic,” Farley said. “There is no ill will. It’s just a great opportunity for me and my family.”

Farley, a native of Leslie, played for Revell when he was the defensive coordinator at Olivet Nazarene University near Chicago and got into coaching because of Revell’s influence on his life.

Farley had previous coaching stops in Covington, Ky., and Comstock before coming to Grand Haven. He was selected regional coach of the year at all three schools and sent 34 players on to the college football ranks during his tenure with the Bucs, including kicker John Potter to the NFL.

Farley’s wife, Lori, is from Kentucky.

“It’s just one of those things. It’s a good move for my family and the opportunity to be reunited with my mentor and college coach,” Farley said. “Grand Haven has been great to me. It’s more of a personal move than a professional move.”

Farley said a successor has not been named as school officials begin the search to fill the opening at Grand Haven. The Bucs open the season Aug. 29 against Fruitport.

"We are sad to see Mike leave," Grand Haven High School principal Tracy Wilson said in a statement. "At the same time, though, we are very excited for this new opportunity for he and his family."

Mark Opfermann covers sports for MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. Email him at mopferma@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter and Facebook.